National outlet believes Jets have more talent at one position than the rest of the NFL
When the Robert Saleh took over as the head coach of the New York Jets, the Jets were boasting a defensive back group that was led by Bryce Hall and Bless Austin. They drafted a relatively unknown in the fifth round out of Duke in Michael Carter II to be a project for the new […]
When the Robert Saleh took over as the head coach of the New York Jets, the Jets were boasting a defensive back group that was led by Bryce Hall and Bless Austin. They drafted a relatively unknown in the fifth round out of Duke in Michael Carter II to be a project for the new coaching staff and maybe develop into a slot corner.
One year later they signed D.J. Reed from the Seattle Seahawks, who was considered to be serviceable at best and drafted Sauce Gardner with the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft. Sauce was out of the University of Cincinnati, and while his college numbers were impressive, many claimed it was because of the level of competition he faced while playing for the Bearcats.
With those three guys playing in the secondary, New York now boasts one of the greatest groups of cornerbacks assembled in the NFL. At least that’s how Pro Football Focus feels.
Recently, PFF released their top 32 cornerbacks in the NFL and the Jets not only boast the number one player, they not only boast two players in the top 10, they boast three in the top 14. The only other team to have three players on this list is the Dallas Cowboys, whose top player (Trevon Diggs) is ranked 19th.
The top corner in the game according to PFF is Sauce Gardner who has done nothing but shut down opposing wide receivers since he was drafted. Here’s what PFF says of the number one corner in the NFL:
Gardner has arguably the most impressive start to a career for a cornerback in NFL history, having quickly transformed the Jets secondary into the best unit in the NFL.
The Jets star has earned a 92.1 coverage grade and allowed only 0.53 yards per coverage snap over the last two years, both of which rank first among all cornerbacks in the league. He's had a simply incredible two-year run and will look to continue his elite play in Year 3.
The Jets have been so impressed with Gardner’s first two seasons in New York, that Saleh is going to allow Sauce to travel with the opposing team’s top wide receiver more this year, something he was hesitant to do in Sauce’s first two seasons.
Coming in at number nine on the PFF.com top corners list in the Jets nickle back (yes, nickle back) Michael Carter II. In a league that has developed into three-wide receiver sets being the base for offenses, the third corner back has also become that much more important. Teams use their slot receivers to create mismatches all over the field, except when they face the Jets. According to most metrics, Michael Carter has been one of the best slot corners in the NFL the last few seasons. Here is what PFF said about Carter:
The Jets boast two top-10 cornerbacks, as Carter has been arguably the best slot cornerback in the game over the last two seasons. He allowed just one touchdown and eight first downs in 2023, giving up just 0.62 yards per coverage snap. He prevents separation and grades exceptionally well.
Which now leaves D.J. Reed who PFF has ranked at number 14, a number that almost feels like a slight considering he is the number two corner on the Jets. Here’s how PFF describes the third Jet on the list:
Reed has been incredibly consistent for years now, as he’s put up PFF grades above 75.0 in each of the past three seasons. His two-year 84.1 grade ranks sixth at the position.
With this much talent in the defensive secondary, it will be interesting to see how the Jets are able to play with a lead in 2024, assuming Aaron Rodgers can get the offense to function. With Carter and Reed due to hit free agency at the end of this season, and a looming negotiation with Sauce Gardner coming, the Jets might have some hard decisions to make if they want to keep this group together past this year.
We might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
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